I have no idea if this is going to work or not. I hope people like this and enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. The usual disclaimers apply. E-mail directed to: dakhur@iinet.net.au

Prophecy

Ben looked at the batter at the plate, and unleashed his most ferocious curve ball. It thundered down towards the batter, who swung firmly at the ball, connecting almost unconcernedly.

Sisko lifted his cap and scratched his head, watching sadly as the ball flew over the out-fielders' head and disappeared into holographic oblivion. "Nerys, we have definitely got to start a station baseball team." He glanced back at her and sighed. "The only problem will be finding some competition, especially if word gets out about you."

Kira was swinging the bat without a care in the world. "Me?" She tried to look as innocent as possible, as Sisko ended the program, and the two friends wandered into the bar. "Ben, just because you can't handle being beaten-"

"I don't mind being beaten," Sisko ordered them a drink each, before grinning at the woman, "I just object to being beaten by someone who's only just learning how to play the game!" The people laughed together, before noticing Quark standing impatiently nearby, along with another Ferengi. "Quark, what can we do for you?"

"Actually, it's the Major who we need to see." Quark indicated the other man. "This is Geldar, a freighter captain who's recently returned from the Gamma Quadrant. He says he has news about a Bajoran Orb."

"An orb?" Kira was instantly on the alert.

"I heard information on my last trip that an extinct barbarian tribe in the Gamma Quadrant used to worship an object they call they 'Eye of the Spirits'. A traveller we gave passage in the quadrant sold me this drawing, and some directions to help find the temple." The Ferengi showed Kira a small piece of paper, but as she reached for it, he pulled it back. "It isn't going for free, Major."

Kira pulled back her temper and glared at the little troll. "How much?"

"Ten strips of latinum." Geldar watched as the Bajoran silently used one of the bars' data PADD's to transfer the money to the Ferengi's' account.

"Now, hand over the paper." Kira snatched the document and examined it carefully, as Geldar faded into the distance. "This is nothing but a child's sketch of an orb. Any Bajoran child could draw this!" She growled at Quark. "Your 'friend', had better leave the station before I get to Ops, or I might feel like asking Odo to search his ship. Very thoroughly."

"Major, normally I'd agree. But this drawing came from a planet deep in the Gamma quadrant, I checked with Geldar's crew myself." Quark was beginning to feel a distinct chill go through the air. "The traveller had been trying to find the eye, but had no luck. The co-ordinates of the planet are on the document, but that's all I can tell you Major."

"I'll think about it." As the Ferengi scuttled back to his bar, she turned to Sisko. "This could be a wild cat chase, but I'd like to check it out anyway."

"What did you have in mind?" Ben sipped his drink slowly, and watched Kira carefully work out the details.

"I'll take a runabout, if we've got one to spare, and find this planet. If it exists, I'll see if this 'eye', is really one of the Orbs." Kira shrugged. "That's about all I can do."

"What if it is an Orb? You can't steal it and bring it back to Bajor." Ben was seeing at least seven different hells if Kira screwed this mission up.

"How do you steal something from someone who doesn't exist anymore? You heard Geldar, the tribe's extinct." Nerys was beginning to get on the defensive. "It probably doesn't exist, but if it does, I have to do everything I can to bring it home. As a Bajoran, this is something that I have to do. As the Emissary," she looked steadily at the Human, "I'm hoping you'll back me up."

Sisko stared thoughtfully at the woman for a long moment. "I'll lend you a runabout, and Dax. It's quiet at the moment, so you've got a week to explore to your hearts content, but no more. And if you run across trouble, stay out of it. You're to simply establish if it's an Orb, and if there's no other religious or moral complications, the two of you can bring it back."

They stood and headed to the habitat ring. "But if there is another religion involved, back off and come home. We'll work something out later."

"Understood." Kira stopped at the door to her rooms. "The last thing I want to start is a religious war. We'll be back for the gratitude festival, hopefully with another Orb, if all goes well."

"I'll inform Dax of the real story, but if anyone asks, the two of you are going to the Gamma quadrant to visit a trading partner. One other thing Major," Kira turned back to the man. "Don't ever try and use religious blackmail on me again. It's a once-only achievement, understood?" Kira nodded sharply, and began to pack for what promised to be an interesting mission.

"Nerys, I'm a little confused." Dax turned to the Bajoran as they warped away from the wormhole towards the co-ordinates Quark had given them. "I thought that Bajor knew where all the Orbs were, either back on Bajor, or still in Cardassian hands."

"They are. But one Orb is missing." Kira glanced at the confused Trill. "About four thousand years ago, an Orb failed to appear, much to the confusion and panic of the Vedek Assembly. It's been assumed that the Prophets simply didn't send one, but with the discovery of the wormhole, several monks have been discussing the possibility that it went the other way instead of to Bajor."

"And you think that this might be that Orb." Dax could understand why Kira was so intent about this operation. "If it is, you're gong to be the most popular person on Bajor for quite a while. The Kai might even thank you."

Kira snorted loudly. "I couldn't care what the Kai does. This little war has become a constant battle of one-upmanship, and I'm getting sick of it. If she just stuck to religion and stayed out of politics, then I might stop suspecting everything she does."

"What, and declare a truce?" Jadzia grinned as Kira shook her head.

"Nah. No-one would believe it anyway." The two women laughed, and settled back for the trip.

"Vedek Talin, what can I do for you?" Ben stood as the tall monk entered the office.

"It's a rather strange request, Captain." The Bajoran woman thought for a moment, before voicing her problem. "Several...signs have appeared lately that indicate another prophecy may be about to be fulfilled in the near future. The problem is, it doesn't concern the Emissary, but someone else who seems to be involved with the Emissary."

Ben stroked his beard and wished Kira were still around. "I see. Perhaps if you tell me the prophecy you speak of, I might be able to help."

Talin grinned, obviously relieved. "The prophecy was written by a man named Durak Benota, around a thousand years ago. It reads:

'When the children walk no more in darkness, and the Emissary is at peace in the light, the Dagabo shall rise from the ashes, to fly between the stars and seek the messenger lost beyond.'" The Vedek shrugged her shoulders delicately. "The assembly is at a total loss, but since the prophecy mentions the Emissary, we thought it best to ask your opinion."

"I see. Tell me, what is a 'Dagabo'?"

"The Dagabo is a legendary Bajoran bird, that never existed, although stories involving it remain firm childhood favourites. The Dagabo was supposed to live for five hundred years, before flying into the setting sun, immolating itself. When the sun would rise again, a new bird would fly out with the memories of the old, but the strength of the new. This bird would also live for five hundred years, before repeating the entire process all over again."

"Earth legends have something similar, we called it a Pheonix." Ben glanced out at the stars behind him, sighing quietly. "What... signs lead you to believe that this prophecy will soon come to pass?"

"We believe that the passage refering to the children and darkness is a reference to Bajorans and the occupation, now over. The passage that refers to the Emissary being at peace, denotes your acceptance of your being the Emissary of the Prophets." Talin nodded gently. "It is fairly common knowledge that you have only recently accepted the revered position you hold within Bajoran society. But, the rest is rather like the finest ancient Bajoran poetry," she smiled cheerfully, "just when you think it's about to go somewhere, it dissapates into the most metaphorical of religious language."

"I have noticed that about many prophecies, no offence intended." Ben was glad to see the woman smile as well.

"Life would be so much easier if the Prophets communicated in plain language. Unfortunately, I'd be out of a job." Talin was obviously a woman with a healthy sense of humour. "Emissary, I don't mean to press you, but does any of this make sense to you?"

"A little." Sisko was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Giving the occasional blessing was one thing, but discussing religious interpretation was quite another. "Since you are sure it will be fullfilled within the immediate future, I would like to invite you to stay on the the station until such time as the meaning becomes clear."

"Thank you, Emissary." The Vedek stood as Sisko showed her to the door. "I look forward to seeing the outcome."

After the cleric had left the room, Ben carefully re-read the data PADD that had the prophecy displayed, before staring out to the stars for a very long time.

"Well, there's your planet." Dax and Kira examined the landmass on the runabouts' viewscreen. "No humaniod life-signs detected, just animals and vegetation, but there's a lot of electrical activity in that storm, so if there are people there, they might be hidden from the scanners. It's a binary star system too, life couldn't have been very easy for anyone living down there."

"What kind of climate are we looking at?" Kira watched the swirling stormclouds encircling the planet below and fervently prayed that they wouldn't have to beam into the thunderstorm.

"Varied. There seems to be all types of terrain, but it's mostly tropical jungle, fairly thick too. The twin stars would mean that it's going to be hot and steamy down there, like Bajoran jungles. The largest structure seems to be stone building on the main continent, the one just below us at the moment." Jadzia grimmaced unhappily.

Kira sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that." She grabbed her backpack, and stood on the transporter pad. "You stay here and guard the runabout. I'll beam down and take a look around."

"No you won't." Dax had been scanning the planet and spun to face the Bajoran. "That's a highly-charged electrical storm. If I beam you into that, we'll be holding a memorial service for you when I turn straight around and fly home." Jadzia nodded towards the seat next to her, and began working the controls. "We're going to have to land, so I'll try and find you a suitable site."

"All right." Kira began to slowly ease the craft into the atmosphere as the vessel was thrown around as it flew deeper into the storm. "Dax, about that landing site...?"

"Left twenty degrees, and two hundred kilometers ahead." The woman clutched at her seat, as Kira fought to keep the ship under control and on the heading Dax had given her. It didn't work, the small craft being tossed around as the storm willed, the occupants desperately clinging to their seats. "I'm jettisoning the warp core!" Nerys screamed over the groan of stressed metal as Dax tried to keep the runabout together.

"All controls are out, we're flying on air!" Jadzia felt the Bajoran yank her out of her chair and throw her onto the floor before crouching down herself.

"It's locked into a slopeing descent. Just keep you're head down." There was no time for anything more, as the Volga crashed into the planet, burying itself in a sandbank and knocking the women unconcious.

"Captain Woods, what brings you to the station?" Ben Sisko smiled tightly as he indicated for the captain of the USS Phoenix to sit down.

"Just in the neighbourhood, and thought we'd drop in." The woman grinned cheerfully. "I haven't visited Bajor before, and my crew could do with shore-leave. Unless there's a problem Captain?"

"Benjamin, please, and no, there isn't a problem at all." Ben was glancing at the data PADD on his desk, reading the prophecy written there. "Actually, you have arrived just in time to witness the Bajoran Gratitude Festival, it'll be starting in five days. That is, if you can stay that long."

"Unless something comes up, I woudn't miss it for anything." The woman stood and walked to a turbolift. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've heard that your promenade has to be seen to be believed."

"It certainly is unique." Sisko grinned. "Whenever I'm on another station, I never think their civilian centres look half as good." After the woman had left, Ben returned to his office, just in time to recieve an incoming call from the Bajoran assembly. "Kai Winn, what a pleasant surprise." Sisko felt a burning desire to poke out his tongue, but managed to supress the thought. "How can I help you?"

"Emissary, I understand that the fulfilment of Benota's prophecy is imminant." The Bajoran had a cheerful smile plastered across her face, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

"Emminance, I am unable to comment on prophetic interpretation, as there are others far more qualified then I. Yourself, for example, and Vedek Talin. But, I can tell you that a ship named after an Earth bird with similar legends as the Bajoran Dagabo has docked at the station. Outside that, nothing out of the ordinary is happening on the station." Ben smiled politely.

"I see." The Kai changed gears immediately. "Captain, if it's possible, could I please talk to Major Kira. I would like to ask her about the preparations for the up-coming Gratitude Festival, as I was planning to spend the festival on the station."

"Kai, Major Kira isn't aboard the station at the moment." Ben's lips were suddenly dry. "She and Commander Dax are making sure our trading partners in the Gamma Quadrant are happy with their dealings with the Federation. But, I will be happy to make any arrangements for your visit."

"Of course, Emissary." The Kai's face closed down again. Obviously she had been looking forward to harassing Kira. "I'll see you soon." As she closed the channel, Sisko smiled before turning back to some reports that were due to be sent to Earth.

"Is that everything we'll need?" Dax winced at the pain from her newly repaired broken ribs, as Kira dragged two backpacks out of the runabout.

"I think so. I've given you the lightest pack, it's got clothes, blankets, and the med-kit, and mine's holding more clothes, supplies, the portable distress beacon, portable universal translators and weapons." Nerys grinned tiredly, and touched the bruises on her forehead. "Just let me find somewhere to strap the tent, and we'll start heading towards this stone building. The ship's automatic distress signal is working, but nothing else is. As it is, the signal's going to take at least fourteen hours to reach the array and then DS9."

"Well, that structure, and I'm assuming it's the temple, is around fifty kilometers North." Dax staggered to her feet and pulled the pack on. "Let's get moving, it's not getting any closer."

Five hours later, the two women sat down gasping in the extreme humidity. "This...has got to be...the MADDEST idea we've ever had." Kira panted as she glanced at the Trill. "Remind me why we're doing this."

"Because you think that there might be a Bajoran Orb only..." she checked the tricorder, "Only twenty-five kilometers away." Dax collapsed next to the nearby stream and bent to drink thirstily. When both she and Kira had drunk their fill of the clear refreshing liquid, Dax sat, looking at the stream, and groaned. "You have no idea how tempting it is to rip off my boots and splash in that creek for the next year or two."

"Believe me, I know exactly how you feel." Kira stood and examined a tree curiously. "Bright pink leaves, but lime green fruit. Weird." She looked at her wrist chronometer, and stood up. "We should keep moving. I want to make another ten kilometers before tonight if possible."

"Torturer." Dax was muttering under her breath, as she followed the Bajoran through the dense undergrowth, letting Nerys do the hard work of phasering a path. "And the tree probably attracts animals with its leaves, then they'll freely eat the fruit when they get there."

"Good move." Kira helped Dax over a log as they reached a small rise in the vegetation. "Obviously the plants around here have a pretty good system with the animals. This jungle is unbelieveable."

"That's not all that's unbelieveable." Jadzia nodded at the undergrowth, and Kira looked around as at least five very savage-looking green men aimed spears at the women, one of them dangerously close to Kira's throat.

Kira dropped her phaser and raised her hands with alarming speed.

"Now we're in trouble."

"Captain, there's a message for Major Kira from the outpost Prophet's Landing." The Starfleet ensign swiveled from the science station. "Shall I tell them she's not here?"

"Put it through to the office." Ben sat at the desk and saw Minister Garana Del appear on the screen. "Minister, I'm sorry, but Major Kira is currently in the Gamma quadrant and unavailable. Could I help you?"

"I hope so, Captain." The Bajoran man wiped his forehead and rushed on. "We've lost a diplomat in the Denorious belt, and we're very worried. Dipolomat Xandi is one of the best, and I hold very grave fears for his safety, especially with the increase in 'True Way' terrorism activities."

"Understood." Ben sighed. "Please keep me informed, and I'll start inquiries at this end about the diplomats whereabouts." As the Bajoran closed the channel, Sisko let his head thump the table, and that's how Doctor Bashir found him several minutes later.

"Captain, you really should sleep in bed, not the office." Julian looked quizically at Sisko. "It's probably none of my business, but if something's wrong and I can help...?"

"I doubt it, Doctor. Not unless you have a degree in prophetic interpretation." Ben pushed the PADD over to Bashir. "Read that. And for Dagabo, insert the word 'Phoenix'." Julian scanned the PADD and glanced at the man with a confused expression, as Sisko laughed. "Exactly what I think. But, past experience is a hard thing to ignore."

"True, but, if this does involve a starship, then why aren't you involved?" Julian handed the PADD back and shook his head. "I think I'll stick to medicine. At least hypospray's don't talk back."

"Agreed." Ben stood and stretched. "Well Doctor, what did you come to see me about?"

Kira and Dax stumbled into a circle of flattened undergrowth, covered by thick branches and vines, making it completely waterproof underneath. As they were pushed down next to a tree trunk and vines were tied around their feet, the two exhausted women examined their surroundings. "This explains why we couldn't scan any buildings. They must live here, but the storm drove them into the temple anyway." They listened to the grunts and soft words for a moment, then Kira shook her head.

"The universal translator isn't working, I can't understand anything they're saying." She twisted her hands, trying to loosen the vines that the men had tied them with. "At least they brought the packs with them. If we can get to them, I've got another phaser and a knife in my pack."

"I don't think they're going to let us anywhere near our bags, Nerys." Dax was looking around for any sharp rocks or stones to cut the vines with, but the whole area had been smoothed out. "Err, Kira, is it my imagination, or are there no women around here?"

Kira looked around and nodded. "You're right, we're the only women here." She glanced at Dax cautiously. "You don't think.....?"

"We could be in deeper trouble than we thought." Jadzia and Nerys looked up as all the other men bowed, and a tall, wiry individual strode into the campsite. "I have a feeling that panicking would be good now." The man had four women with him, and after a short conversation with the men who had captured the officers, the women and the men left, as the leader walked over to where Kira and Dax were crouching. "One guess who has all the women."

"No bet." Kira looked up as the strange man stopped just out of kicking range and examined the women before him. "I have a nasty feeling he wants to get to know us better." She watched, waiting for a chance to grab a possible hostage. "Do you think he understands 'not available'?"

"I have a suspicion that he wouldn't care." Dax saw the man's eyes travel down her spots as far as they could before they disappeared into her uniform. "Trade you my spots for your nose."

"Nothing doing." Nerys yanked her head back and growled softly as the man tentatively reached for her earring. "You're always saying how good you are at self-defence, so defend us!"

"I seem to be a little tied up at the moment." The women watched as the leader slowly edged within reach, but made no threatening movements. "He might just be curious about us."

"Great," Nerys muttered as she watched every move he made. "So as he paws us, he's just saying hello." The man reached out and tried to touch Kira's nose as she jerked it away. "Dax, do something!!"

"Fine!" The Trill gave one last tug at the restraints on her wrists before giving up in anger. "You keep the boss occupied, and I'll talk him to death!"

A voice rang out angrily, and the leader backed away like the women were contagious. Across the clearing, a short, stumpy man was waving a stick around, and definately making his presence felt. Dax sniffed and wrinkled her nose. "New boy smells like he hasn't had a bath all week."

"Make that all year!" Kira was eternaly grateful that the previous man had gone, but as the new man walked forward, and the smell got worse, they were both beginning to retch. "If he touches me, I will hurt him."

"Doona ngowa asuf?" The older man knelt down and gently spoke to the two women. "Doona ngowa asuf?"

"Kira." The Bajoran spoke her name slowly and tapped herself on the chest. "Dax." She pointed to the Trill, then repeated the whole procedure.

"You really think he understands you?" Dax was sceptical, but very willing to try anything that might involve talking, not touching.

"It's worth a try." Nerys nodded as the man pointed first at her, and then at Dax, repeating their names softly.

The two women nodded, and repeated the proceedure. The man slowly pointed at himself and said "Aloc." He motioned to the over-friendly male, "Nisop."

"Well, at least we're making some progress," Dax muttered. "But, I don't like that curious look in his eye and the way he's staring at us."

"Don't worry, I have a self defence plan. If he touches me I'll throw up." Kira wrinkled her nose more than Dax felt possible. "Even in the worst days of the occupation, I never smelt anyone this bad."

Aloc moved off, to the females relief, and shouted "Dit ritkin." To the rest of the group as he disappeared into the brush. The others cautiously moved over, cut the vines off the women's feet, and reached for the women, who both shook off their hands and walked in the direction of the path that Aloc had scurried down.

The signal shot through space, reaching continuously through the vacuum. It stretched through the wormhole to the station spinning slowly in space.

Captain Sisko responded to the chirp of his comm badge. "Sisko here. This had better be good."

"Captain, it's Lieutenant Garfield in Ops. We're recieving a distress signal from the runabout Volga. There's no other communication signal accompanying it."

"Can you pinpoint the location yet?" Ben's feet hit the floor, as he grabbed the nearby uniform.

"Not yet, but it's definately in the Gamma quadrant."

"I'll be right there." He broke the link, and five minutes later, marched into Ops. "How long before you can pinpoint the location of the distress beacon?"

"Unknown." Lieutenant Garfield was at the post Major Kira normally occupied. "There's a lot of interference, though whether that's from the distance of the beacon, or there's another influence we can't tell from here."

"Captain, you have an incoming emergency call from the Chief Minister of Prophet's Landing." A young Bajoran officer called out from the science station, as Ben stared at the ceiling.

"It never rains...." He sighed and headed to the office. "Ensign, put through the call. Lieutenant, try to narrow down that beacon, and let me know what happens." Sitting at the desk, he stared at the panicked face of the man. "Minister, what's the problem?"

"We've recieved a message from the Cardassian rebels. They've got Xandi, and are demanding nearly half a million liters in ransom!" The Bajoran was almost beside himself. "Where am I supposed to find that kind of money?"

"Minister Garana, calm down." Sisko glanced at the ship at the upper docking pylon and grinned. "If you can find out where Diplomat Xandi is being held, I'll send some help out. But, it has to be within Bajoran borders, I can't violate the treaty over one person."

"Understood." Garana thought for a moment then nodded. "The group apparently has a few strongholds this side of the border, I'll try to use our contacts to find out if he's being held there."

"Good. Let me know immediately you find out any information, and I'll see how we can assist you. Sisko out." The Human barely had time to breathe, before the Lieutenant came in.

"Sir, we can't track that beacon anymore. For some reason, it's stopped."

Sisko felt a cold chill climb up his spine. "Is it possible the Jem'Hadar tracked that signal and...neutralised it?"

"We don't know." Garfield swallowed hard. "Sir, wasn't that Major Kira and Commander Dax's runabout?"

"Yes." Ben almost whispered the words, as the Lieutenants face turned ash grey. "Lieutenant, have Commander Worf prepare the Defiant to leave the station. We may be requested to assist Minister Garana with a minor problem with the 'True Way'."

"What about Major Kira?"

Ben stood and faced out into the stars. "She's on her own. Have the Command crew assembled in Ops in one hour." After the officer had left, Sisko spent the next hour trying not to think about what was probably happening to his two highest officers.

Dax and Kira watched the men, women, and children around them carefully. They had been taken to a small cavern near the stone building. Although they were still tied up, the atmosphere around them was relaxed and definately less threatening than in the clearing. Aloc hadn't been seen since, but whatever he'd said to Nisop had worked, since the male had stayed away from them.

"Since they're eating, I don't think we're going to be dinner." Dax spoke softly to Kira, trying to keep them both smiling. "Although we still could be breakfast."

"I'm never at my best in the morning." Kira appreciated the attempt even though it wasn't working so well. "That clearing must be where they meet, maybe for hunting parties to meet and divide up food, or simply an outdoors living place."

"Let's hope it wasn't a sacred site, or things could get ugly." Dax wrinkled her nose and grimaced. "Speaking of ugly...." Nisop had been looking at the women thoughtfully for a while now, and as he strode over, it seemed he'd made up his mind.

"At least I can kick him now if he tries to get fresh." Nerys was watching the man closely as he crouched down in front of them. "Here we go again. Kira. Dax." The Bajoran slowly spoke and pointed to herself and her friend.

"Nisop." The man pointed to himself and spoke clearly. Obviously Aloc had had words with the leader. The male pointed at the two women, and spoke a new phrase. "Tellva citak." As the women shook their heads and shrugged, he tried again. "Tellva citak." Still no understanding. Grunting, Nisop got up and walked back over to his fellow tribesmen.

"Any luck?" Nisop's chief hunter, Tala, had watched the exchange with the barbarian females, and had seen their obvious ignorance at Nisop's attempt to communicate with them.

"None. They don't seem to understand even the simplest sentences." Nisop sat down and grabbed a hunk of meat. "Think we should feed them? Aloc won't be happy if they starve to death."

"Might be an idea. But what about their sacks? Maybe they need special food and it's in there." Tala was steadily watching the women, and smiled as the dark-haired one started unobtrusivly rubbing her restraints on a nearby sharp rock. "They might not be as dumb as you think, that one's trying to escape."

Nisop laughed. "Night's falling, and sentries are posted. They'll never leave the shelter." He watched as the one called Dax realised her actions had been noticed. "Give them some food, but send one of the children over. I don't want an adult near them, aside from me."

"Planning some new mates?" Tala saw the expression on his leaders face and smiled. "You take the one with spots, I'll have the red one."

"We'll see. You deserve a woman of your own, and they both look like they would give strong sons, provided we can tame them." Handing a plate of food to a nearby child, he and Tala stood, spears ready, as the boy crept over to the prisoners.

Kira and Dax had watched the exchange between the two men, but hadn't understood a single word of it. Finally, Nisop had shoved a plate at a child, and gently pushed the boy towards them. "He looks terrified." Kira was feeling sorry for the small boy creeping in their direction.

"He probably is, I know I would be." Jadzia stretched out her hands and took the plate of food from the boy, who instantly turned and literally ran back to hide behind Nisop, who ruffled the boys hair gently before pushing him away. "I'd say that's dad. Their family structure could be a little more complicated than we thought."

"Right now, the only thing I'm worried about is eating." Kira picked up a string of food, and glanced at Dax. "I'm game if you are."

"Well, it'll either kill us or feed us." The two officers carefully chewed the meat. "It's actually not too bad, has an interesting flavour. Tastes like chicken." Continually watching the people around them, Dax and Kira began to relax, just enough to rest for the next day.

"Minister Garana, you have some news about your missing diplomat?" Ben hadn't appreciated being woken up again, but since sleep hadn't exactly been forthcoming anyway, it was better than staring at the ceiling.

"Captain, it appears that might have jumped ahead of myself a little when I contacted you about Diplomat Xandi." Garana's expression was one of an apologetic smile. "A border patrol just discovered the Cardassian base, and rescued Xandi themselves. It seems we won't be needing your assistance after all."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that the Diplomat is safe." Ben's thoughts turned instantly to his First Officer. "If you'll excuse me, I'll tell my officer's to stand down, but we'll keep an eye out for any reprisals. Sisko out." Ben was dressed and in the wardroom just a few minutes later, as Odo, Worf, and Bashir walking in just after him. "Gentlemen, you'll be pleased to know that Diplomat Xandi is no longer a problem. It seems a border patrol resucued him earlier this evening."

"That should make the rebels sit up and take notice." Odo hadn't been looking forward to trying to find what amounted to a needle in a haystack.

"Yes, well don't relax just yet." Ben pointed towards the main monitor as a map of the Gamma quadrant flickered into life on it. "Some where on the other side of the wormhole are Kira and Dax. Two days ago, they went in search of a possible Bajoran Orb that was on an uninhabited planet. A Ferengi trader had given a lift to a passenger, who had sold him a paper that left instructions on how to find the Orb. Unfortnately, we've since detected a distress signal that has mysteriously stopped, and I have a nasty feeling that the Jem'Hadar have entered the game."

"Do we know where they were heading?" Julian was beginning to mentaly pick-out the equipment he'd need to take to repair a Bajoran and a Trill. "If the Dominion get their hands on Dax,--"

"I think we should be more worried about Major Kira." Worf couldn't understand why Bashir was so concerned about just the one woman. "Kira's knowledge of Bajoran and Starfleet heirachy and battle plans could devestate the Alpha quadrant if the Dominion attacked."

"I don't mean Jadzia, although of course I'm worried about her." Bashir spoke softly, showing his tender side. "I mean Dax, the symbiont." He turned to Sisko. "Imagine what they could do with the information from both Dax and Kira. The entire Federation would be at their mercy, we would be forced to beg for peace."

"I know." Ben stood. "Which is why I'm going to find out what happened. Nothing special, just a quick stroll around the Gamma quadrant. If they have been captured, we'll need to plan something more...agressive." He stopped as a message came through from Ops.

"Captain, sorry to disturb you, but the Kai has just arrived on the station."

"Understood. Sisko out." He sat back down, looking rather defeated. "Well, that's that. I can't leave without telling the Kai what's going on."

"But I can." Worf stood. "Captain, no-one would question a Klingon leaving just before the festival, and a one-mannned craft will be even less obtrusive."

"Two manned." Bashir stood up as well. "If they're injured, it'd be better if I helped them as soon as we found them."

"Agreed." Sisko moved towards the door. "Take a runabout, and do the best you can. The array should be able to tell you where the signal originated. Try and get back before the festival, or I will have to start informing the Bajoran government."

"Understood." The men marched out the door, and thirty minutes later, flew off to find their friends.

"Wake up!" Tala firmly kicked the boots of the sleeping women, and jumped back swiftly as the one called 'Kira', snapped to her knees. She crouched back, examining him, as her friend also sat up. "Tala," the man pointed to himself, then to the women, "Kira, Dax." He smiled as they nodded and tentatively grinned back. Placing some more food down, he moved back slightly, but continued to watch them carefully, as Nisop came over as well.

"Aloc is in the place of ghosts, he could be there for months." The two men glanced at each other. "We can't leave them tied up forever."

"But we can't give them too much freedom, not just yet." Tala wanted to reach out and touch Kira's earring, but she was still on alert, her eyes never leaving his face for more than a second. "If the ceremony is held today, by the time Aloc returns, it will be too late for him to interfere."

"You are right, as usual." Nisop glanced at the bags on the other side of the cavern. "They must not touch the sacks until after the ceremony has taken place. Come, preparations must be made." The men stood, and sauntered off to their fellow tribesmen, as the Trill and the Bajoran watched them carfully.

"Nerys, I have a very nasty feeling about that last conversation." Dax watched as the two men spoke to a woman, and nodded in the direction of the captive females. "Aloc hasn't been seen since we were in the clearing, but those two men have been very interested in us."

"I'm trying to ignore it." Kira looked curiously at the light green woman who had come over to them. She smiled openly, and tapped her chest.

"Sinnah." The woman grinned even wider as Kira and Dax repeated their names, and then pointed at her and spoke hers. "Gundel brahik." Sinnah sighed as the two strangers stared at her blankly. Gently holding their arms, she led them over to a smaller cavern, steering them well clear of the packs against the nearby wall. Inside the cavern, were a few women and some very young children playing together. But as the officers came in, they ran outside, away from the strangers as Sinnah spoke. "These are Nisop and Tala'a new women. We have to get them ready for the ceremony." She looked at the uniforms. "I think these are just skins."

"On the count of three, run for it!" Kira hissed at Dax, but before they could move, the women with Sinnah grabbed their arms, cut the vines on their wrists, dragged them across the cave, and threw them bodily into the stream that ran through the cave. Gasping, they floundered around for a few minutes, before Sinnah and another female reached in and grabbed their uniforms, pulling them panting onto the bank. "That's cold!"

"No kidding?" Dax wrapped her arms around her, trying to get warm again. "About that escape--" She stopped talking, as Sinnah crouched down and began to make strange movements, raising her arms above her head over and over again. "What's she doing?"

"No idea." Kira was leaning against the rock wall, her teeth chattering. "It looks like..." Kira's voice trailed off as she blinked. Sinnah had taken off her skin shirt, and was looking bluntly at Kira. "I think they want us to get undressed." She and Dax looked at each other in horror, as the women around them closed in.

"We're clear of the wormhole, Captain." Worf was fairly confident that he could find the lost officers and bring them home, hopefuly with as little trouble as possible. "We have the co-ordinates of the planet that the signal came from, but it's at least a day away."

"Understood." Sisko had hoped that the destination might not be so far into the quadrant, but it couldn't be helped. "Do your best, but if you run into any trouble with the Dominion, pack up and come home. A runabout isn't the best craft to take on a Jem'Hadar warship in. Good luck. Sisko out."

Worf grunted and the vessel shot away in the direction of the unknown planet. "Commander, when we get there, I'll need to check them over immediately, even if the Dominion aren't involved. We don't know what happened, and they could be very badly injured if they sent out a distress signal."

"I know Doctor." Worf didn't mind the young man's enthusiasim so much, it reminded him of the eagerness he'd felt when he'd graduated from the academy and recieved his first posting. "You just stay out of the way of the firefight, if there is one."

"Do you really think the Dominion are responsible?" Julian was having nightmares thinking about what could be happening to their friends.

"It is difficult to tell." The Klingon didn't want to make any statements that might come back to haunt him later. "If it is the Jem'Hadar, we will gain as much information as we can, before returning to the station."

"Commander, you do realise that if I find they need medical attention, I will not turn around and leave them to their fate." Bashir faced the taller, and definately more dangerous, superior officer, with a defiant look in his eyes, and Worf sighed.

"Yes Doctor, I'm well aware of that." The Klingon turned to the Human and smiled, a very unnerving experience. "So we'd better make sure that when we do find them, the Captain doesn't find out about the fight."

"Kai Winn, welcome to Deep Space Nine." Ben bowed slightly, and looked unhesitatingly into the woman's eyes. "I trust you had a pleasent voyage?" He'd caught up with the woman in the station temple.

"The journey to the station is always enjoyable." Winn was looking forward to this visit. It would give her the chance to see both Kira and the Emissary, and there was nothing they could do about it. "Is Major Kira back from her tour yet?"

"Unfortunatly, no." Sisko was feeling more uncomfortable about the situation every moment. "It seems she won't be back until maybe the night before, or even the day of the festival. But, Vedek Talin and Sergent Ankor are making the usual arrangments."

"That is most unfortunate. Please notify me of her return. Was there anything else, Emissary?" The Kai looked enquiringly at the Captain. Sisko realised an out when he saw one and took it.

"No. I was merely here to...enquire after your good health and journey. Until later, Kai Winn." He left quickly, well aware that the Kai knew that it was not the whole story.

"Why are we here?" Kira was not feeling the most secure, even though the bonds had not been retied. The two Alpha quadrant women were standing in the clearing, and all around them men stood, dressed differently from before. Ornate carved necklaces hung around their necks, new skins with strange patterns and painted faces abounded. But by far the most ornate of them were Tala and Nisop, who also wore headpeices. All the men were looking at the only two women present.

The women were dressed in skins, their original clothes having been taken from them by the other women after their impromptu bath. Various patterns had been drawn on their faces with blue ink, and a wooden bracelet placed on their left wrist. Their feet were bare, the boots being taken with the uniforms, but Kira's earring had been left with her, a kindness she had been most grateful for. Two of the capture party were sporting their comm badges.

"I'm not sure, but I've not got a great feeling about this." Dax muttered under her breath, as two of the men gently led the women to stand before Nisop and Tala. Dax looked at the leader before her, the expression on his face, and spun to face Kira, who was in front of Tala. "Nerys, I have a VERY bad feeling."

"I know." Kira looked like the most miserable humanoid ever born. "Tell me, how does the Federation view marriage?"

"Don't worry, it'll never hold up in court." Dax was shushed as the men began chanting quietly. After a few minutes of this, Nisop and Tala reached out and picked up the hands of the woman before them, taking hold of the bracelets on the woman's arm, and slid them over the hands onto their own arm. Kira suddenly reached out and stopped Tala before he slipped the wood off her arm, looking at him in mute appeal.

Tala sighed, and turned to Nisop. "I think they've worked out what we're doing."

"Perhaps." Nisop had added Dax's bracelet to the three others already on his arm, and was now holding her hand tightly. "But whatever they think, it's too late now."

"I suppose." Tala turned back to Kira and gently, but firmly, kept moving the bracelet down and onto his hand.

"Dax," Kira glanced at her friend as the surrounding group of men began to cheer and thump their spear butts on the ground. "I have a feeling we're married."

"I've noticed." The Trill's eyes were flicking around the circle, looking for a way to escape. But, with every man carrying a spear, and the native vegetation being naturally thick, they had no chance at all. "Kira, you know what comes next, don't you?"

"Divorce?" The Bajoran was terrified. She had no trouble admitting to fear, and with her, the reason was one that Dax would never understand. The occupation had left more than just the physical scars, there were the memories of what the Cardassian's had done to her in the interrogation centre. And Kira had sworn that she would never, ever, suffer that again.

Nisop and Tala were well aware of the fear in the woman's eyes, as they gently led their new wives back to the caverns for the celebration. Sitting down, Nisop beckoned over his first wife, Sinnah. "Beloved, these two will need much care. They have no understanding of our ways, our customs, or our launguage. You must take extra care that they will not be hurt or ridiculed by the others, until they can learn to live with us."

"Love, they will be given all the care I can, but they must learn by their own mistakes." Sinnah knew her place in Nisop's heart was secure, and had no malice against his newest bride. "I cannot treat them as children who have no sense. They are intelligent women, even if they did appear from nowhere."

"I know." Nisop turned back to Dax and smiled. "But, they are under my protection, and I will not see them hurt in cruelty." He nodded as Sinnah sat on his left. "Use your judgement as to what they can do."

"Well for a start," the woman dropped her voice so only she and Nisop could hear, "don't make her yours tonight." Nisop stared at her in astonishment as Sinnah gestured towards the two other women. "Look at them, they're scared witless!"

Nisop took a good look at Kira and Dax, and had to admit that while everyone else was relaxed, the strangers looked like they were about to try and bolt at any moment. "You may have something there." He sighed and smiled at Sinnah. "Very well. But you'll have to try and tell them what will happen to them by tomorrow night. It is, after all, my right." He tried to look authoritive, knowing it never impressed Sinnah.

"Your will, my Lord." Sinnah bowed her head, and racked her brain to try and find a way to talk to the newest tribal members.

Worf and Bashir walked around the smashed runabout, examining the storms handiwork. Going inside, they saw the burnt panelling. "That's why the signal stopped, a fire burnt out the computer." Grunting, the Klingon looked around the cabin. "But where are they?"

"Tricorder readings say they headed down that path." Julian pointed towards a tunnel carved out in the surrounding greenery. "Probably made by a phaser. They've taken a med-kit with them, but that could simply be as a precaution."

"If they came down in that, they had to have some injuries." Worf knew that both officers were tough, but nobody went though crashes like that and walked away without a scratch. "Is there any sign of a grave?"

"No, and both DNA's register." Bashir stood and looked around at the jungle. "Well, do we follow them, or track from the runabout?"

"The runabout." After beaming back, Worf scanned for the two women's comm badges. "Those other life-signs we've detected mean that things could be very different to what they expected."

"I've found their badges, but they don't register as Bajoran or Trill life-signs." Bashir point to the locations on his panel. "The badges are ten kilometers from that stone building, but I'm reading faint Bajoran and Trill lifeforms from within the mountain range nearby. They wouldn't seperate from their badges unless something was wrong. And Dax would never break the prime directive like this."

"Can you pinpoint their exact location?" Worf didn't like the idea of having to take on an unknown enemy on strange territory. "Are they injured?"

"I can't tell with these readings." Julian glanced inquiringly at the other man. "Shall we beam down and see what's going on?"

Worf considered for a moment, then shook hs head. "No. We'll wait until dusk and explore then. It's only an hour away." The men sat back and relaxed slightly, completely unaware of the events on the planet below.

Kira and Dax huddled together in the women's cavern, blankets around their shoulders and watched every move that the other women were making. The feasting had ended shortly before, but instead of being dragged off by their new husbands, they had been taken back to what was obviously the female and children's sleeping area. Sinnah had spent some time trying to communicate with them, but eventually gave up and handed them the furs.

"Perhaps we'll be lucky and they'll leave us alone." Dax had never experienced this kind of fear, it clutched at her stomach, twisting everything inside of her into a tiny knot. "Maybe it wasn't what we thought it was."

"I don't think so." Kira was prepared to throw herself onto a spear rather than suffer the abuse she knew was coming. Outside the cave, a loud argument had started between two voices sounding like Nisop and Tala.

Suddenly Tala stomped into the cavern with two other men, and pointed at Kira. His partners grabbed the Bajoran, yanking her to her feet, and dragging her out the door. "Jadzia!" Kira yelled at her friend as Dax was held back by Sinnah and two other women, while Nisop simply stood and watched.

"You promised me until tomorrow night!" Sinnah knew she was taking a chance by speaking to the tribal leader like that in public, but she also could see the terror in the newcomers eyes, and didn't want them to be hurt.

"Tala wants his woman now. It is his right." Nisop walked over to Dax stopping just before their chests touched. He too, could see the fear, and sighed. "Tell her, somehow, that I will not take her until tomorrow night." He stepped back and gazed at the other women. "I did give my word, after all." Walking out, he ignored the yelling from Dax as she called out for her friend.

In another cavern, at the end of a very long tunnel, Kira was being thrown onto a bed of furs. Spinning, she made to run at the entrance, but a curtain of thorns were pushed into the opening, and she skreeched to a halt, just in time. Looking around, the Bajoran saw various drawings on the walls, and the pile of skins in the corner, along with her shredded uniform. Hearing the thorns move, she turned just in time to see Tala enter and pull the wall back behind him. Walking forward cautiously, the man watched as Kira backed up until she was pressed against the wall behind her.

"Toomat." Tala sat down, and held up his hands, showing Kira he was unarmed. "Toomat." As he spoke, the man indicated for her to sit down. Nerys thought about it for a moment, then cautiously slid down the wall, until she was crouching on the furs. Tala nodded and smiled softly, before slowly reaching towards Kira's face, stopping as she jerked back and growled loudly at him. Sighing, the man considered his next move as they sat there staring at each other.

"I'm sorry your visit to the station had to be cut short Emminance." Ben tried to look dejected, but couldn't help smiling just a little. "I hope it's nothing serious at the Assembly that forces you to return."

"These things happen, Emissary." Winn was mildly annoyed at the recall, but she knew she had no choice but return to her planet. "I hope that I will be able to return to the station soon."

Sisko hoped that the Kai's idea of soon would be in around six years time, but he had no say in the matter. "I hope the situation can be soon resolved, Emminence." But not too soon. "Major Kira will be so sorry that she missed your visit." Sorry as in having missed an opportunity to take the wind out of any of the Kai's plans.

Winn missed the implications of the sentence, and stepped into the airlock. "I hope you enjoy the festival Emmissary." With that, the Bajoran left the station, to the relief of all concerned, including Vedek Talin, who was waiting in Sisko's office when he returned to Ops.

"Captain, I'll come straight to the point." Talin leant forward and glared at the Human. "Why didn't you inform me that Major Kira and another officer were in the Gamma quadrant searching for an Orb?"

"It was a private matter between myself and Major Kira." Sisko toyed with a data PADD. "How did you find out about this, if you don't mind me asking? It was supposed to be an undercover operation."

"Whispers on the promenade." Talin evaded the question smoothly, implementing one of her own. "Is it true that the Major has possibly been captured by the Dominion?"

Ben made a mental note to speak to all the crew about security. "It does seem that Major Kira might have run into some trouble during her mission, but we don't know if it was the Dominion, or simply a minor mechanical problem."

"Why has the Phoenix not been sent to help her? This is obviously what the prophecy refers to." Talin could see the instant connection between the writings of the ancient Bajoran, and the actions that were happening at that moment.

"Vedek, I have already dispatched a ship to investigate the Major's signal, and until they report, I am quite confident that the matter is in good hands." Sisko stood, indicating the conversation was over. "There are still two and a half days until the festival. If I have heard nothing by then, then I will consider taking a more...agressive approach. Goodnight Vedek." As the woman stalked out of the office, Ben laid in a call to Captain Woods. "Captain, I might require you assistance after all. Can I talk to you over dinner?"

Worf and Bashir crept through the jungle as quietly as they could, heading toward the caverns that had registered both the comm badges, and the DNA scans of their lost friends. Crouching, the two men watched as a light green man piled some wood on a fire just inside the entrance to the caves, and settled a very sharp looking spear against his shoulder.

"Doctor, this could be more difficult than we thought." The Klingon silently unholstered his phaser, and checked the setting was on heavy stun. "Are they inside the caves?"

Julian crouched over the tricorder for a moment, then nodded. "I'm reading both lifeforms, but they're in seperate locations. Dax seems to be in another room just beyond this one, while Kira is deeper into the caves." He looked at the Klingon. "Both signs are strong, they don't seem to have been harmed in any way."

"Very well." Worf sat back and got as confortable as he could. "This is the plan. We're going to wait until later tonight, then strike. It seems that they aren't in any danger, or there would be a different atmosphere here. Besides, the later we strike, the sleepier the tribesmen will be." The two men settled in, never taking their eyes off the caves opening, and the lone guard at the entrance.

Tala was becoming frustrated. He'd listened carefully as Nisop had told him the rights of a First Mate. She must be treated with respect, for although a man might take other wives, she will always be his first one. She had to be listened to, to be treated well, and to never be forced to make her mate happy, for that did not breed strong sons, but would split the people of the gods with dissention.

But this woman seemed to be determined to make his life difficult. She had refused to allow him near her, even pushing him away when he tried to get closer. Tala didn't want to force himself on Kira, but it seemed he had no choice, until he remembered the sacks that they had been carrying when they were captured. The hunter had asked that Kira's sack be placed in his quarters earlier that evening, and turning away for a moment, he pulled it out from under some furs. "Haso ta." Tala pushed it towards the woman, moving closer as he did so. "Haso ta lolad."

Kira was still against the wall, watching every move the man made. She had been surprised he hadn't simply raped her, it seemed he wanted to get to know her, at least at first. But the Bajoran knew that the longer she held out, the more frustrated the man was going to become. Finally, Tala turned away and pulled out the last object Kira expected to see--her knapsack. As the man gently crept closer, speaking and holding it out to her, she kept her eyes on his face, before almost snatching it from his grasp and upending it on the furs.

Tala watched Kira grab the bag, the woman not even realising his hand was resting on her knee, as she emptied it out on the furs, scrambling through for something. He picked up an object similiar to the one they had been carrying when the hunters found them, and was examining it, when Kira's hand closed over his and she spoke to him. "Tala, careful with that. You might hurt yourself."

Kira watched as the man scooted away from her, as she took back the phaser and re-adjusted the headset of the portable universal translator. Seeing the shocked expression on his face, Nerys felt sorry for him, and moved over to sit in front of him. "It's all right Tala, I can talk to you now. This device I'm wearing helps us talk to each other."

"You...you can understand me?" Tala saw the smile finaly reach Kira's eyes, and he put his hand out to tentatively touch the headset. "I suppose I should say hello." He placed his fist over his heart and bowed. "My name is Tala, first hunter of the people of the gods." He grinned at the Bajoran. "Your name?"

"Kira. Kira Nerys, and my people are called Bajoran's." Nerys sighed and gently moved Tala's hand off her thigh. "The ceremony today, were we...married?"

"We were mated together for life." Tala had overcome his initial scare and was curious about the woman with him. "Do your people have such things?"

"We do, we call it marriage." Kira didn't know how to approach the next problem. "But, we usualy take more than a day to decide we want to be together for life. You seemed to choose me in one night."

"Since the lizards destroyed our people, we have taken mates when we can." The man's face fell sharply at the mention of the lizards, but Kira's curiosity picked up. "We are only a few of what we used to be."

"These lizards, they didn't call themselves 'Jem'Hadar', did they?"

"Yes." Tala stared at his mate suspiciously. "Are you a lizard?"

"No. My people fight the lizards, when we have to. But I come from a place far away, another planet." Kira sighed at the man's look of disbelief. "It's probably a little too hard to understand at the moment. But can you understand that I must get back to my friend, Dax?"

"Yes." Tala looked at the wall of thorns, then back at Kira. "She is unharmed. Nisop will not make her his until tomorrow, as he wanted me to do with you." The hunter stood, his dignity in tatters. "I suppose we are not to be?"

Kira looked down and nodded. "I have someone among my people, a man who hopes we will one day be together." She gazed at the young man sadly. "I must return to my own people, but I need your help. Can you do that?"

"Of course." Tala pushed back the thorns, then knelt down and helped Kira re-pack her knapsack. "Do you have to go tonight?" His fingers were wrapped around Kira's and the pleading expression on his face almost broke her heart.

"Yes." Nerys bowed her head, and didn't speak again, until she and Tala walked into the main camp area. Nisop was sitting guard, his back to Kira, as she smiled at Tala. "Nisop, we need to talk."

The man spun and stood, looking aghast at the woman whose language he could suddenly understand. "What has happened?"

"Tala gave me my bag, we can speak now." She glanced warmly at the man beside her. "He is a good man. You should be proud to have him as your friend."

Nisop nodded slowly, then indicated towards an inner fire, as several of the tribesmen gathered around. "Perhaps we should talk, Kira."

Bashir's head was nodding towards his chest, when he heard Worf hiss his name. Snapping awake, the man stared in astonishment as they saw the figure of Major Kira standing in the cave, talking to the guard who had been on duty. The woman seemed to be dressed in some kind of brown leather skins, and was confidently talking with the men round her.

"I think it is time we let Kira know we are here." Worf slapped his badge. "Worf to Kira." He smiled as a man inside the cave ripped the badge off his waist strap, and all but threw it at the Bajoran.

"Kira here. Nice to hear from you, Commander. Where are you?"

"About five hundred meters away, and I have Doctor Bashir with me." The Klingon could see Kira straining to look into the darkness, as he and the Human stood and walked slowly into the cave, trying to appear as harmless as possible, for a Klingon. "Are you alright Major?"

"Fine now, Worf." The woman looked at the staring natives and smiled. "It's alright, Nisop, he's with me."

"I hope so." The man's spear was aimed directly at the huge person before him. "Is it...friendly?"

"Yes." Worf spoke as deeply as he could, while looking around him. "Major, why are you wearing a portable unit?"

"My universal translator was broken in the crash. Dax's has the same problem." Kira swiveled around towards another cave. "I have to get a unit to Dax."

"I'm right here Nerys," Dax wandered out, wearing only similar skins and furs to Kira's. "I was just drifting off to sleep when I heard the commotion." The Trill saw the expression on Bashir's face as he glanced from her to Kira and smiled. "The very latest in native fashion. What do you think, Julian?"

The man gulped. "Very nice. Now, if you and Nerys will come here, I want to give you both a quick examination, before this goes any further."

"Kira, what is going on?" Nisop had quickly spotted that she was the one in charge. "Who are these people?"

"I'm Major Kira Nerys, and these people are Commander Jadzia Dax, Commander Worf, and Doctor Julian Bashir. We come from a place very far away, and I am sorry we disturbed your tribe. Tala has told me of what the lizards have done to you, and I can tell you we are nothing like them."

"I know. We captured a lizard once, and others came looking for it, killing many of our people. We once lived better than this, but when the lizards came, we became as our ancestors were. It was safer to not be a threat to them." Nisop lowered his spear as it seemed that no-one was going to hurt his people, while Kira handed Dax a second headset and Julian ran the tricorder over both of them.

"So the gods are right." Aloc had appeared in the doorway, and found himself staring into the muzzle of Worf's phaser, while Worf felt Nisop's spear prod his neck.

"Creature, I suspect that is a weapon you are pointing at our holy man. I suggest you lower it, or not even Kira's words will save you." As soon as Worf lowered his phaser, Nisop put down his spear and bowed to Aloc. "We didn't expect to see you so soon, Aloc."

"Obviously, or you would never have married the strangers." The priest came forward, and Kira and Dax were pleased to note that he'd had a bath since they'd seen him last. "That was very silly, I told you they were here to do the gods bidding, not for you."

"Aloc, I'm just here to find--" Kira was interrupted by an impatient wave from the little man.

"To find the Eye Of The Spirits." He had a knowing look in his eyes. "But you call it the Tear Of The Prophets." He laughed merrily as the Bajoran stared at him in amazement.

"Minister, what can I do for you?" Sisko had a nasty feeling that the man on the monitor knew that his lover was missing beyond the wormhole.

"I'll come straight to the point Captain." Shakaar looked very, very angry. "I have heard that you sent Nerys on a suicide mission to look for a lost Orb in the Gamma quadrant, and that she has been captured and is possibly being tortured by the Dominion!"

Sisko sat for a moment, and steepled his fingers. "Minister, on Earth children play a game called 'Chinese Whispers'. A child tells a whisper, then the friend tells another, and so on. At the end of the game, the last child tells what the whisper was that they heard. It is always stranger than the original message." He gazed at the Bajoran. "Do you see my point, Minister?"

Shakaar nodded slowly, calming down. "I understand. Please, what is the real story?"

"I'd rather not trust it to an open channel." Ben saw the man nod understandingly. "Perhaps I could come to Bajor today and speak with you?"

"That would be a little useless Captain." Adan smiled slightly. "I'm currently on a shuttle to the station. I believe we will be docking within the hour."

Ben sighed. He could never figure out this Bajoran delight in surprising people by turning up on their doorstep unannounced. "Of course you are always welcome on the station Minister. With the festival in two days, can we assume you will be staying for the festivities?"

"I'd be happy to." Obviously the man had been wanting to stay, but had prefered to be invited rather than barge in. The concern about his friend was still on his face though.

"Well Minister, I will see to arrangements about security and your quarters for your visit." Sisko knew the man was worried, and thought that a personal touch might help settle his nerves. "Perhaps you would like to join me for dinner tonight?"

"I'd like that Captain. We will be able to discuss...Federation procedure." With that, the Bajoran terminated the conversation, as Ben sat and tried to think of how to convince the man that he was doing all he could.

Dawn came brightly on the far-off planet. The four officers had stayed with the tribesmen, even though the runabout had been landed on a plateu near the caverns, and Kira and Dax were finally able to talk to the men and women who had been so good to them. After breakfast, which was a feast for the natives since the officers had provided it from the runabout's replicators, Aloc sat down with Kira and began talking.

"Kira, I know you don't believe you were sent here, but I do. The gods told me you were coming, and to prepare for your taking the eye back with you."

"She cannot have the Eye!" Nisop looked like he was about to have a fit. "It is ours, the gods gave it to us."

"But only for a little while." Aloc's soft voice calmed the leaders fears. "This is why they gave us the Eye, so Kira would come and know that there are others who need to be protected." He turned back to the Bajoran, who was looking extremely confused. "We were a promising people, before the Lizards came, and now we are the group you see here. Take the Eye, but in return, we ask that you try to keep us safe, so we have a chance to become again the people we once were."

Kira swallowed hard. "I cannot stay and keep them away. But, I will try and make sure that anyone who comes this way helps your people stay safe."

"That is all we can ask." Aloc stood and smiled. "Now come, you have a test to pass before you can leave with the Eye."

As the entire group trooped towards the temple, Worf rumbled at the woman. "Major, the Prime Directive explicitly forbides us from helping these people."

"Worf, isn't that a Federation rule?" As the man nodded, she shrugged. "Well, I'm not a Federation officer, and Bajor isn't a Federation planet yet, so I can do what I like, can't I?" Worf was about to reply, as they arrived at the temple, and Aloc stopped them.

"Only Kira may enter. The prophecy is clear:

'The stranger shall tread the path of fire, when stones tremble and light shatters. They shall walk through the land of death, and return the eye of spirits home, while the people of the gods live and grow.' Aloc grinned, as Kira looked at him blankly. "I know, confusing isn't it?"

"That's not the word for it." Nerys looked at the building and gulped. It looked about as stable as a gravel pit. "Are you sure I have to do this?

"Yes, you have to do this. It's the only way you'll get the Eye." Aloc cast a canny eye over the Bajoran. "What price do you put on your faith, Major?"

Kira glanced at the man, then strode forward into the building. She was still dressed in the skins, since the priest had insisted that she be dressed in traditional native garb, with a short dagger at her waist. Inside, vines clung to the rock walls, and small animals scurried away at her approach. Following what seemed to be a rough path, Kira finally reached a big chamber, and could see an Orb across from her.

"Easy." The Bajoran stepped out into the chamber, then lept back into the tunnel and gulped. "Too easy." Peering out, she looked at the lava on either side of the narrow path. "Path of fire. Great." Watching the surroundings, Kira saw that the path was slowly being eaten away as the lava disintergrated it. "This is not going to be fun."

"Shakaar, I'm doing everything possible to find Kira." The Bajoran and Ben Sisko were talking over drinks in Sisko's quarters. "But I can't send a Federation starship into a possibly hostile situation until I hear that they're needed. If we inflame the Dominion, it might give them the excuse they want to launch a full scale attack on the Alpha quadrant. And Bajor would be the first to fall if they did."

"I realise that Captain." Adan was worried about his friend, but he also knew that there was very little that could be done. "But it's not easy to sit back and hope that it's not as bad as you think. Nerys means a great deal to me, I don't want to have to attend her memorial service instead of a Gratitude Festival."

"Nor do I." Sisko smiled tightly. "But Human's do have a saying in these circumstances. 'They also serve, who stand and wait'."

"Does it help?"

Ben sighed. "Not a bit."

Kira coughed and turned around. She'd all but run across the path to the Orb, then wrapped the precious crystal in her fur cloak. But now, as she looked back to the exit, the air seemed to shift around her, images appearing and disappearing as she looked. "Poisonous gas," the woman breathed slowly, trying to take as little of the toxin as possible into her already stressed lungs. Stumbling forward, swaying at each step, she slowly made her way towards the beckoning doorway.

Squinting through the haze of heat and gas, Nerys saw a figure form before her and gasped. "Father!"

The man smiled. "Come on, Nerys. Just a little further, then you'll be safe. You're almost there." Reaching out, he seemed to take her free hand, drawing her along the path, steading her shaky footsteps.

Looking around, Kira saw lights playing through the cavern, blues, greens, golds, swirling around her and her father. "It's beautiful."

"Nerys." The man's voice was urgent. "You must keep walking, you can't stay here." Behind him, Kira saw that the entrance was only a few steps away. "Keep going Nerys."

"No." The Bajoran fell to her knees, barely keeping hold of the Orb in her arms. "It's so pretty, so warm." Closing her eyes, Nerys felt herself drift off into a white light and sleep.

Outside, the group were becoming more concerned by the minute. The only one who didn't seem worried was Aloc, who kept trotting into the temple every few minutes, humming an annoying little tune to himself. Finally, Worf stomped forward. "If she doesn't come out in one minute, I'm going in after her."

Aloc bowed and swept his arms aside. "Be my guest. She's not coming out on her own." Before the cleric had stopped speaking, Bashir and Tala had bolted into the building, closely followed by Worf, Nisop and Dax. Running down the path, Tala overtook Bashir, and came to the doorway, before halting in shock. Kira was lying on the path, the lava slowly rising, with a bundle in her arms.

"That's toxic gas." Julian was coughing as he tried to scan Kira's prone body. "She's still alive. If we can get her out, I think I can save her."

Without speaking, Tala lay on the path, and inched his way towards his mate's body, ignoring the burning of the skin on his chest. Reaching out, he gently took the wrapped Orb and handed it back to Dax, before turning back and grabbing Kira's arms. Worf and Nisop took hold of Tala's ankles and dragged him backwards, bringing Kira out at the same time.

"This whole place is about to collapse." Dax had been scanning the surrounding stones, and was panicking. "We have to leave now." Without a word, Worf picked up the lifeless body of his commanding officer, Dax the Orb, and the entire group ran for their lives as the stones crashed down around them.

"Her lungs are badly burnt by the fumes, the re-generation is going to take some time." Bashir was examining Kira in the caves, as the other officers and the tribe looked on worriedly. "The gasses have parylysed her respitory and cardio-vascular systems, she's hanging on by a thread." Julian glanced at Worf as he pulled various instruments from the emergency med-kit. "If she survives this, I'll begin to believe she's bullet proof."

"Just do your best, Doctor." The Klingon didn't want to see the Bajoran die, but he knew that death was a part of the job. Turning to the priest, Worf began to look very dangerous. "Aloc, you knew what was in that chamber, and you did nothing to warn her. That, to me, sounds like attempted murder."

"She had to tread the path of fire, and of death." The cleric shrugged his shoulders. "Kira was strong, and her faith was strong. I knew she would survive, because the gods wished her too."

"Her lungs are stabilised, just." Bashir looked at Dax urgently. "We have get back to the station immediately." He and Tala gently picked up the Bajoran and walked slowly into the runabout with her body, as Dax turned to Nisop.

"Kira made you a promise that she would do all she could to help your people. I intend to keep that promise for her. It's a lot to ask, but if two of your people will come with us back to our home, I will personally make sure that the plight of your people is brought to the attention of the Federation and the Bajoran's."

Nisop considered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "But I cannot leave my people." The man looked at a very fidgety Tala and smiled. "I assume you would like to go with the strangers?"

"Yes, that is, if you don't need me here." The man was sitting beside Kira's prone body, watching everything Bashir did to try and help his mate. "I just want to know if she's alright."

"Very well." Nisop turned to Sinnah, and held her hand tightly. "First One, will you go with them and tell of our lives? You know us best, and have a way with words that I do not." Stepping as close to his woman as he could, the man kissed her deeply and sighed. "Don't be gone for long." Drawing away, Nisop bowed to Dax. "I give you the two most important people I know. I trust you to take good care of them and bring them safely home."

Dax nodded, and gently led the native woman into the landed runabout. "You have my word...husband." The two people smiled at each other, then Nisop held out the wooden bracelet he had taken from her at the wedding.

"Take this, in memory of your time with us." Bowing, the man stepped back, and minutes later he craft lifted off and flew as fast as it could towards the wormhole.

"Is she going to make it?" Tala hadn't left Kira's side since he'd helped Bashir carry her into the ship. The native knew he should have been excited about the stars that were passing the ship, but all he could worry about was the woman on the floor, trying to breathe through lungs that didn't want to work anymore, moaning in agony.

"I hope so." Bashir looked up at Worf. "Commander, this is a medical emergency. Take us to maximum warp, and step on it."

"Understood. But it's still going to take us a day to get home." Worf saw Tala's expression, and offered a fervent prayer that they wouldn't be too late.

Shakaar stood before the temple doors on the Promenade, gazing around the assembled people. There was Captain Sisko, Odo, and Vedek Talin. She still looked worried, even though several days had passed since she had attempted to find out what was going on from Sisko. Talin shot looks at him occasionally, trying to make him uncomfortable, but the Captain had served with Nerys too long, and knew just how to throw those looks back.

Adan looked at the Bajorans gathering around, looking up at him with their scrolls in their hands, waiting for the start of the ceremony. He wanted to wait until he knew something about Nerys, but Shakaar knew he had to say something for the people, and couldn't let his personal grief interfere with anyone else. As he spoke the ancient words to officially open the Festival, he looked around slowly. "I now declare the Gratitude Festival officially underway. May the Prophets guide us."

There was a cheer, and Shakaar stepped down as Bajoran's lined up to place their scrolls in the Shrine's burner. A scroll accidentaly fell onto the ground in front of the Minister, and Shakaar scooped it up, handing it back to a big-eared Ferengi, who gave a little wave, and scuttled off to somewhere else.

Shakaar's eyes followed the Ferengi by chance, and there was something familiar about the leather-clad, dirt covered woman that the Ferengi ducked behind. Something very fiery, deadly, sexy. Quiet muscles, a kind of self-assured stance. Red hair. "Kira!" he cried out, and ran to her. It was Kira, all right, smiling and laughing in the way that he knew only Kira Nerys could. Adan threw his arms around her, and suddenly became somewhat self-conscious. Kira wasn't so inhibited though, and wrapped her arms around his back, kissing him soundly. Another cheer went up.

Sisko clapped Shakaar on the back, grinning at the man's expression. "She wanted it to be a surprise. I found out yesterday that the runabout I had sent out after her and Dax was returning, but we didn't know if they were bringing her back alive or not. She had been poisoned by toxic fumes while investigating an Orb sighting."

Bashir interrupted from somewhere behind Shakaar as he and Dax led two other leather-clad people onto the deck. "The gas paralysed her circulatory and cardio-vascular system, and shut it down. I was able to reverse the damage and revive her, but it was still touch and go until we got back to the station." He turned towards the other two people. "May I introduce Sinnah and Tala, two of the people from the planet they call 'Alekia'. They helped the Major and Dax when the runabout they were in crashed."

Sinnah smiled graciously, and bowed. "I am Sinnah, First Mate of Nisop, leader of our people. This is Tala, Chief Hunter of the tribesmen. We bring greetings, and a plea for help from the few who are left."

"I am First Minister Shakaar Adan, leader of the Bajoran people." Adan glanced at Kira who smiled encouragingly. "I will be happy to talk to you about how we can help, but we are a poor people ourselves. Still, you looked after Kira, and that means a lot."

"If you'll all excuse me," Kira's voice was croaky and rough, a legacy of the gas Shakaar guessed, as she backed away for a moment and picked up a nearby crate. "I have a delivery to make to Vedek Talin." She smiled wolfishly. Nodding at Sisko, the Bajoran marched towards the shrine, people staring at her as she went, a path clearing before her.

Vedek Talin was talking to Prylar Griff and slowly heard the noise around her stop. Turning, she saw a fierce-looking, red-haired Bajoran woman standing with a foot on the podium, wearing leather clothes, a dagger at her belt, and a fur cloak. A small crate sat beside the Bajoran, and Talin nodded. "Major Kira Nerys. I see you have made it safely back from your mission. The Assembly has been very worried about your expedition."

"I'm back, and I found what I was looking for." Kira reached down and opened the door to the crate slightly, allowing the Vedek a glimpse of the Orb inside. "I assume you will take control of this present now."

"Of course, Major." Talin reached out for the box, and smiled warmly for a moment. "I will make sure that everyone knows you brought this gift back to us."

"Talin, we never had this Orb." Kira's voice had dropped to a level that only she and the cleric could hear. "It's the missing Orb. Take good care of it. And tell the Kai, that I'll expect her thanks when she publicly announces the discovery." Kira stepped back and bowed to the Vedek, before turning and sauntering back to the small group, that were now standing in Odo's office.

As she watched Kira walk away, Vedek Talin carried the Orb into the shrine, where it would be safe for the moment. Placing her hands against the box, the Vedek smiled to herself. "You were right Bareil. She is the answer to the prophecy. I'll keep an eye on her for you, I promise."

"Sit down Kira." Sisko was behind Odo's desk, with Tala and Sinnah sitting nervously in the chairs before him. "Now, a brief description, and then you and Dax are off duty for the next two days."

The Bajoran grinned and nodded. "It's fairly simple actually." Nerys glanced at Tala and smiled. "By the way Adan, I'm sorry but...we can't see each other any more. I'm married to Tala." She and Dax began to laugh at the look on the Minister's face.

Shakaar and Kira wandered through the grounds of the ministerial chambers, enjoying the cool of a Bajoran summer evening. "Tala and Sinnah seemed happy about going home tomorrow." The man looked steadily at the Bajoran beside him and was glad to see her smile.

"They're going home with a shipload of Bajoran scientists and exo-archiologists." Kira and Shakaar sat down against a nearby tree and watched the sunset. "If I were them, I'd be ecstatic. At least the scientists will be able to help the Alekian's re-populate their planet, and with the artifacts from four thousand years of worshipping the Orb differently from us, there's going to be plenty of work for the scientists and the Vedek assembly for years to come." Kira's lungs were completely healed now, her voice back to its usual tones. "The Assembly has gone crazy about the new Orb too, there's a whole new philosophical study underway."

"I know, and it's going to give Bajor a planetary contact in the Gamma quadrant that feel the same about the Dominion as we do." Cuddling the woman against him, they sat quietly for a moment, until a soft cough interrupted them. "Tala, what can we do for you?" Shakaar and Kira stood as the Alekian nervously scuffed the ground.

"I just wanted to say goodbye to Nerys." The hunter walked forward and looked deeply into the woman's eyes. "I know that the next few years will be a time of great change for my people, and that we will have to let go of many things that we have held dear to us. But I want you to know that I didn't choose you as my mate, just because I needed a woman. I saw something in you that I hadn't seen in anyone else before, and I liked it." Tala glanced at Shakaar and smiled. "Take good care of her Minister. Women like Kira don't come along very often."

"I know." Adan shook Tala's hand as the man stepped back and turned to leave. "Err Tala, just one thing." Tala looked back inquiringly. "That marriage ceremony...do you need to have it voided?"

"Void?" The man had a twinkle in his eyes. "A marriage ceremony has never been reversed before, a mating is for life." He waited until the panic dawned in Kira's eyes before moving forward to her and taking her hand. Pushing up his sleeve, the hunter pulled the bracelet used in the former ceremony down his arm and over onto hers. Then he released her hand and stood back.

"There, I think that would do it. As long as you own the bracelet, you belong to no man. Give the bracelet to someone special one day, but until then always remember that, for a little while, you were my First One. If ever you wish to return to our people," He shrugged. "You know where to find me." Tala paused, "I look forward to seeing you again one day. Maybe you'll visit our planet to see the changes your people will be helping us to make."

"I'll look forward to it." she smiled at him as he turned and left.

"So, think you'll go back to live with Tala?" Adan held his love tightly as she adopted a thoughtful look, before smiling at him lovingly.

"No. As much as I enjoyed visiting, I don't think I'd want to live there. Besides," she ran her hand down his chest and in under Adan's jacket. "the Kai has just publicly thanked me for bringing home the lost Orb, at great personal risk, and I'd like to bask in it for a while."

Shakaar's hands hadn't been still either, as the two people walked back to his house. "Good, because I don't want to lose you to anyone. But next time you go to another planet, try not to get married again, please."

"It's a deal." They turned and walked inside for dinner.